Book: Sustainable Community - Learning from the Cohousing Model by Graham Meltzer

Graham Meltzer

about this book: Sustainable Community: Learning from the Cohousing Model is an in-depth review and analysis of the cohousing phenomenon currently sweeping North America. Cohousing projects are purpose built housing developments for communities of up to 40 or 50 households. They combine entirely self-contained dwellings with a range of shared community facilities such as kitchen/dining room, social space, workshops, guest rooms, children's playrooms etc etc. Cohousing was first developed in the '60s and '70s in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. These relatively progressive cultures anticipated the onset of loneliness and alienation in late 20thC Western, middle-class suburbia and resolved to address these issues with more sociable housing developments. In cohousing, residents maintain their privacy as needed but always have the opportunity to socialise with neighbours. Shared meals typically occur 2 or 3 times per week as d oa range of other social activities. Residents have access to a rich social and cultural life without having to step out (or more commonly drive away) from home.